PS Audio BHK 300 mono VS Modwright KWA 150SE mono VS D'agostino Classic stereo

dlcockrum do you think i could drive CS 7.2s with a Classé audio Ten ?
I'm looking for a very affordable solution to drive CS 7.2 momentarily.
I saw a Classé audio Ten for $600.

Hi thieliste,

I started by hi-end journey with a DR-10 driving Apogee Stages. That amp was so flat and lifeless than I took it back to the dealer and paid the 2X+ difference to get the DR-25. Night and day difference in those two. Still have the DR-25 and have used it for long periods to drive my 5i’s. Solidly built, musical, with plenty of current and as reliable as they come. The darker sound as compared to my DR-9 and Krell would likely work well to minimize the audible effect of the 6k peak of the 7.2s IMO.

The Ten, Fifteen, and TwentyFive were the next models following Dave Reich’s departure from Classe’. Glen Grue made some modifications to the input stage of Dave’s "DR" designs and they are generally said to be more lively, open, and dynamic sounding than the DR-10/15/25.

http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/1194classe/index.html#GCmxCxR9G3VUHeez.97

The Fifteen was considered the sweet spot of the line and would work very well for you as a temporary solution (if not more). Can’t say about the Ten. Sorry.

BTW- should you decide to buy one, use the SE (RCA) inputs as the XLR inputs use an opamp in the circuit that kills the sound. Apparently, Reich was forced to add it on by Grue after the fact and it shows.

Best to you thieliste,
Dave

Hi Dave,
Opamp in the circuit kills the sound, good warning/advice Dave. I'll acknowledge that there may be some good sounding opamps available.  I think generally speaking most audio components are better off without them. Interesting that two amplifiers (DR10 and DR25) from the same company can vary so greatly in their respective sound quality. 
Charles 

Hi Charles,

My DR-10 sample (NIB) could have been defective. I had heard the Stages at the dealer with the DR-25 (that I ended up with) and the sonic differences were profound with the Stages in my room at the time.

Never regretted trading up to the DR-25 as it is a benchmark of amplifier performance with difficult-to-drive loads IME.

Best to you Charles,
Dave

Dave,
Your impressions regarding the Classe' models got me curious and I did a discussion search. Nearly unanimous agreement with you of the DR10  being definitely inferior to the DR25 model. Your response to Thieliste is àccurate and apparently widely held. 
Charles